Titanium Composite Material and Method for Making It

ABSTRACT

A titanium composite material includes a titanium matrix material and a powder reinforced composite material with a volume ratio of 10%-70%. The titanium matrix material is disposed at an α phase, a β phase, an α+β phase, an omega phase, or an intermetallic α-1, α-2, α-3 phase. The powder reinforced composite material is selected from a ceramic powder material, a powder material with electric features or a magnetic powder material. Thus, the powder reinforced composite material is added into and combined with the titanium matrix material to form the titanium composite material by casting, agglomerating or pressing, so that the titanium matrix material contains the physical, chemical or electric features of the titanium matrix material and the powder reinforced composite material.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a composite material and, more particularly, to a titanium composite material and a method for making it.

2. Description of the Related Art

A titanium alloy has a great strength and a lighter weight. However, the wearproof and heat conduction features of the conventional titanium alloy are poor. A ceramic material is added into the titanium alloy to increase the heat conduction, wearproof and surface hardness of the titanium alloy. The ceramic material includes carbide, nitride, oxide or boride. A powder material is added into the titanium alloy to increase the electric features of the titanium alloy, including a piezoelectric effect or pyroelectric effect. The powder material includes titanate, niobium compound, barium compound, strontium compound, tantalum compound, yttrium compound, or ferroelectric. A magnetic material is added into the titanium alloy to increase the magnetic effect of the titanium alloy. The magnetic material includes neodymium-iron-boron compound or samarium-cobalt compound.

The closest prior art reference of which the applicant is aware was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,897,830, entitled “P/M titanium composite casting”. However, the wearproof and heat conduction effects of the conventional titanium alloy are poor so that the conventional titanium alloy is not available for car parts that need high wearproof and heat conduction features.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a titanium composite material with high wearproof and high heat conduction features.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a titanium composite material comprising a titanium matrix material and a powder reinforced composite material added into and combined with the titanium matrix material by casting, agglomerating or pressing. The titanium matrix material is selected from a pure titanium or titanium alloy. The pure titanium of the titanium matrix material is disposed at an α phase, a β phase, an α+β phase, or an omega phase. The titanium alloy of the titanium matrix material is disposed at an α phase, a β phase, an α+β phase, an omega phase, or an intermetallic α-1, α-2, α-3 phase. The powder reinforced composite material has a diameter less than 0.8 mm, and has a volume ratio of 10%-70%. The powder reinforced composite material is selected from a ceramic powder material, a powder material or a magnetic powder material. The ceramic powder material of the powder reinforced composite material contains more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including oxide or nitride. The powder material of the powder reinforced composite material contains more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including titanate, niobium compound, barium compound, strontium compound, tantalum compound, yttrium compound, or ferroelectric. The magnetic powder material of the powder reinforced composite material contains more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including neodymium-iron-boron compound or samarium-cobalt compound.

According to the primary advantage of the present invention, the powder reinforced composite material is added into the titanium matrix material to form the titanium composite material by casting, agglomerating or pressing, so that the titanium matrix material contains the physical, chemical or electric features of the titanium matrix material and the powder reinforced composite material.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a locally enlarged cross-sectional view of a titanium composite material in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a method for making a titanium composite material in accordance with the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a method for making a titanium composite material in accordance with the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method for making a titanium composite material in accordance with the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the titanium composite material available for clutch plates of a car clutch.

FIG. 6 is an application view showing the titanium composite material available for clutch plates of another car clutch.

FIG. 7 is an application view showing the titanium composite material available for a piston and a cylinder jacket of a car cylinder.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the titanium composite material available for a brake pad of a car brake disk.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the titanium composite material available for a cam shaft.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the titanium composite material available for a piezoelectric crystal.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the titanium composite material available for ceramic piezoelectric crystals which are arranged in pairs.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the titanium composite material available for a pyroelectric element.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the titanium composite material available for a semiconductor target material.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the titanium composite material available for a magnet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIG. 1, a titanium composite material 100 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a titanium matrix material 10 and a powder reinforced composite material 20 added into and combined with the titanium matrix material 10 by casting, agglomerating or pressing. The titanium matrix material 10 is selected from a pure titanium or titanium alloy. The pure titanium of the titanium matrix material 10 is disposed at an α phase, a β phase, an α+β phase, or an omega phase. The titanium alloy of the titanium matrix material 10 is disposed at an α phase, a β phase, an α+β phase, an omega phase, or an intermetallic α-1, α-2, α-3 phase. The powder reinforced composite material 20 has a diameter less than 0.8 mm, and has a volume ratio of 10%-70%. The powder reinforced composite material 20 is selected from a ceramic powder material, a powder material with electric features or a magnetic powder material. The ceramic powder material of the powder reinforced composite material 20 contains more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including carbide, nitride, oxide or boride. The powder material of the powder reinforced composite material 20 contains more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including titanate, niobium compound, barium compound, strontium compound, tantalum compound, yttrium compound, or ferroelectric. The magnetic powder material of the powder reinforced composite material 20 contains more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including neodymium-iron-boron compound or samarium-cobalt compound.

Referring to FIG. 2, a first method for making a titanium composite material in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a first step 200 of heating and melting a titanium matrix material 10 and a powder reinforced composite material 20 to form a casting liquid, a second step 210 of stirring the casting liquid, a third step 220 of pressuring the casting liquid, a fourth step 230 of filling the casting liquid into a die, and a fifth step 240 of cooling the die and stripping the die to form a product of a titanium composite material 100.

Referring to FIG. 3, a second method for making a titanium composite material in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a first step 250 of mixing a titanium matrix material 10 and a powder reinforced composite material 20 to form a mixture, a second step 260 of compressing the mixture at a normal temperature or under a heating condition to form a blank, and a third step 270 of agglomerating and molding the blank to form a product of a titanium composite material 100.

Referring to FIG. 4, a third method for making a titanium composite material in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a first step 280 of mixing a titanium matrix material 10 and a powder reinforced composite material 20 to form a mixture, and a second step 281 of packing, filling or extruding the mixture into a specified die or tool and pressing and compacting the mixture to form a product of a titanium composite material 100.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the titanium composite material 100 of the present invention is available for clutch plates 310 of car clutches 300 a and 300 b.

Referring to FIG. 7, the titanium composite material 100 of the present invention is available for a piston 410 and a cylinder jacket 420 of a car cylinder 400.

Referring to FIG. 8, the titanium composite material 100 of the present invention is available for a brake pad 510 of a car brake disk 500.

Referring to FIG. 9, the titanium composite material 100 of the present invention is available for a cam shaft 600 of a car.

Referring to FIG. 10, the titanium composite material 100 of the present invention is available for a piezoelectric crystal 700 which is integrally formed by the titanium composite material 100. The piezoelectric crystal 700 is mounted in a pressure detector 710. The pressure detector 710 includes a housing 710 a having a cavity 710 b, a support member 710 c mounted in the cavity 710 b of the housing 710 a for supporting the piezoelectric crystal 700, a spring 710 e mounted in the cavity 710 b of the housing 710 a and biased between the support member 710 c and the housing 710 a, and a probe 710 d mounted on the support member 710 c and having a first end connected with the piezoelectric crystal 700 and a second end protruding outward from the housing 710 a. In practice, the second end of the probe 710 d delivers a detected pressure to the piezoelectric crystal 700 which produces a corresponding current to detect the pressure value. Thus, the piezoelectric crystal 700 is integrally formed by the titanium composite material 100 so that the piezoelectric crystal 700 is pressure resistant and has a great durability.

Referring to FIG. 11, the titanium composite material 100 of the present invention is available for ceramic piezoelectric crystals 720 and 730 which are arranged in pairs. When the ceramic piezoelectric crystals 720 and 730 are vibrated due to a pressure, the ceramic piezoelectric crystals 720 and 730 respectively represent positive and negative electrodes of a piezoelectric potential. The ceramic piezoelectric crystals 720 and 730 are mounted in an elastic metallic element 740. In practice, when the elastic metallic element 740 is vibrated and deformed due to a pressure, the direction, the location and the pressure of the elastic metallic element 740 are determined by the alternating current variations and the electronic conduction directions (as indicated by arrows shown in FIG. 11) between the ceramic piezoelectric crystals 720 and 730 and by the polarities of the ceramic piezoelectric crystals 720 and 730. Thus, the titanium composite material 100 is used in a shell or an aluminum coating of a car or a flight vehicle, and is available for a metallic fatigue detection when the titanium composite material 100 is deformed due to a pressure. In addition, the ceramic piezoelectric crystals 720 and 730 are integrally formed by the titanium composite material 100 so that the ceramic piezoelectric crystals 720 and 730 are pressure resistant and have a great durability.

Referring to FIG. 12, the titanium composite material 100 of the present invention is available for a pyroelectric element 800. A pyroelectric material is added into the titanium composite material 100 to integrally form the pyroelectric element 800 which has a better electrothermal conversion function and has a required heatproof feature. The pyroelectric material produces different electromotive forces corresponding different temperature values. The pyroelectric element 800 is packed by a housing 810 and a plurality of connecting legs 820, 830 and 840 to form a temperature detector or a temperature detection element of a thermocouple.

Referring to FIG. 13, the titanium composite material 100 of the present invention is available for a semiconductor target material 900 that is used to make a semiconductor product which is evaporated or coated. The semiconductor target material 900 is added into the titanium composite material 100 to integrally make the semiconductor product. Thus, the semiconductor target material 900 has special features of the titanium composite material 100, including heat conduction, wearproof, chemical-corrosion resistant and the like, and the special features of the semiconductor target material 900 are transferred to the semiconductor product which is evaporated or coated, so that the semiconductor product will contain the special features, including heat conduction, wearproof, chemical-corrosion resistant and the like.

Referring to FIG. 14, the titanium composite material 100 of the present invention is available for a magnet 950. The powder reinforced composite material 20 of the titanium composite material 100 is formed by the magnetic powder material, including neodymium-iron-boron compound or samarium-cobalt compound. Thus, the magnet 950 has a great structural strength by provision of the magnetic powder material of the powder reinforced composite material 20 of the titanium composite material 100. In such a manner, the size of the magnet 950 can be shortened so that the magnet 950 is available for a precision industry.

In conclusion, in the titanium composite material 100 of the present invention, the powder reinforced composite material 20 is added into the titanium matrix material 10. The titanium matrix material 10 is disposed at an α phase, a β phase, an α+β phase, an omega phase, or an intermetallic α-1, α-2, α-3 phase. The powder reinforced composite material 20 may be selected from a ceramic powder material containing more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including carbide, nitride, oxide or boride. After the titanium matrix material 10 produces an intermediate phase in the α phase, β phase or α+β phase, the powder reinforced composite material 20 maintains the original hardness of the titanium matrix material 10 to enhance the wearproof, heat conduction and maximum surface hardness, so that the titanium composite material 100 has high wearproof and high heat conduction features. In addition, the powder reinforced composite material 20 may be selected from a powder material with an electric feature, containing more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including titanate, niobium compound, barium compound, strontium compound, tantalum compound, yttrium compound, or ferroelectric, so that the powder reinforced composite material 20 has electric features, including a piezoelectric effect or a pyroelectric effect. Thus, the titanium composite material 100 is available for a ceramic piezoelectric crystal, a pyroelectric element or a semiconductor target material. In addition, the powder reinforced composite material 20 may be selected from a magnetic powder material containing more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including neodymium-iron-boron compound or samarium-cobalt compound, so that the powder reinforced composite material 20 produces a magnetic field. Thus, the titanium composite material 100 is available for a magnet product.

Accordingly, the powder reinforced composite material 20 is added into the titanium matrix material 10 to form the titanium composite material 100 by casting, agglomerating or pressing, so that the titanium matrix material 10 contains the physical, chemical or electric features of the titanium matrix material 10 and the powder reinforced composite material 20.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention. 

1. A titanium composite material comprising: a titanium matrix material; and a powder reinforced composite material added into and combined with the titanium matrix material by casting; wherein: the titanium matrix material is selected from a pure titanium or titanium alloy; the pure titanium of the titanium matrix material is disposed at an α phase, a β phase, an α+β phase, or an omega phase; the titanium alloy of the titanium matrix material is disposed at an α phase, a β phase, an α+β phase, an omega phase, or an intermetallic α-1, α-2, α-3 phase; the powder reinforced composite material has a diameter less than 0.8 mm, and has a volume ratio of 10%-70%; the powder reinforced composite material is selected from a ceramic powder material, a powder material or a magnetic powder material; the ceramic powder material of the powder reinforced composite material contains more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including oxide or nitride; the powder material of the powder reinforced composite material contains more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including titanate, niobium compound, barium compound, strontium compound, tantalum compound, yttrium compound, or ferroelectric; and the magnetic powder material of the powder reinforced composite material contains more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including neodymium-iron-boron compound or samarium-cobalt compound.
 2. The titanium composite material of claim 1, wherein the powder reinforced composite material is combined with the titanium matrix material by casting.
 3. The titanium composite material of claim 1, wherein the powder reinforced composite material is combined with the titanium matrix material by agglomerating.
 4. The titanium composite material of claim 1, wherein the powder reinforced composite material is combined with the titanium matrix material by pressing.
 5. A method for making a titanium composite material, comprising: a first step of heating and melting a titanium matrix material and a powder reinforced composite material to form a casting liquid; a second step of stirring the casting liquid; a third step of pressuring the casting liquid; a fourth step of filling the casting liquid into a die; and a fifth step of cooling the die and stripping the die to form a product of a titanium composite material; wherein: the titanium matrix material is selected from a pure titanium or titanium alloy; the pure titanium of the titanium matrix material is disposed at an α phase, a β phase, an α+β phase, or an omega phase; the titanium alloy of the titanium matrix material is disposed at an α phase, a β phase, an α+β phase, an omega phase, or an intermetallic α-1, α-2, α-3 phase; the powder reinforced composite material has a diameter less than 0.8 mm, and has a volume ratio of 10%-70%; the powder reinforced composite material is selected from a ceramic powder material, a powder material or a magnetic powder material; the ceramic powder material of the powder reinforced composite material contains more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including oxide or nitride; the powder material of the powder reinforced composite material contains more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including titanate, niobium compound, barium compound, strontium compound, tantalum compound, yttrium compound, or ferroelectric; and the magnetic powder material of the powder reinforced composite material contains more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including neodymium-iron-boron compound or samarium-cobalt compound.
 6. A method for making a titanium composite material, comprising: a first step of mixing a titanium matrix material and a powder reinforced composite material to form a mixture; a second step of compressing the mixture at a normal temperature or under a heating condition to form a blank; and a third step of agglomerating and molding the blank to form a product of a titanium composite material; wherein: the titanium matrix material is selected from a pure titanium or titanium alloy; the pure titanium of the titanium matrix material is disposed at an α phase, a β phase, an α+β phase, or an omega phase; the titanium alloy of the titanium matrix material is disposed at an α phase, a β phase, an α+β phase, an omega phase, or an intermetallic α-1, α-2, α-3 phase; the powder reinforced composite material has a diameter less than 0.8 mm, and has a volume ratio of 10%-70%; the powder reinforced composite material is selected from a ceramic powder material, a powder material or a magnetic powder material; the ceramic powder material of the powder reinforced composite material contains more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including oxide or nitride; the powder material of the powder reinforced composite material contains more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including titanate, niobium compound, barium compound, strontium compound, tantalum compound, yttrium compound, or ferroelectric; and the magnetic powder material of the powder reinforced composite material contains more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including neodymium-iron-boron compound or samarium-cobalt compound.
 7. A method for making a titanium composite material, comprising: a first step of mixing a titanium matrix material and a powder reinforced composite material to form a mixture; and a second step of packing, filling or extruding the mixture into a specified die or tool and pressing and compacting the mixture to form a product of a titanium composite material; wherein: the titanium matrix material is selected from a pure titanium or titanium alloy; the pure titanium of the titanium matrix material is disposed at an α phase, a β phase, an α+β phase, or an omega phase; the titanium alloy of the titanium matrix material is disposed at an α phase, a β phase, an α+β phase, an omega phase, or an intermetallic α-1, α-2, α-3 phase; the powder reinforced composite material has a diameter less than 0.8 mm, and has a volume ratio of 10%-70%; the powder reinforced composite material is selected from a ceramic powder material, a powder material or a magnetic powder material; the ceramic powder material of the powder reinforced composite material contains more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including oxide or nitride; the powder material of the powder reinforced composite material contains more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including titanate, niobium compound, barium compound, strontium compound, tantalum compound, yttrium compound, or ferroelectric; and the magnetic powder material of the powder reinforced composite material contains more than 10% of a component that is selected from at least one of a group including neodymium-iron-boron compound or samarium-cobalt compound. 